Pharmacopœia Londinensis, or, The London dispensatory further adorned by the studies and collections of the Fellows, now living of the said colledg ... / by Nich. Culpeper, Gent.

Chap. 11. Of Cathereticks, Septicks, and Causticks.

They all being as neer of kin, as a man and his brother, I have put them all together, but before I treat of them, I care not greatly, if I explain their degrees: Therefore take notice that they are all such medicines as have force to corrode the flesh or skin.

Of these

• Cathereticks are meanly strong.
• Septicks stronger.
• Causticks strongest.

The mean, if there be any meaness in them, or a more propper term is those w^ch are least violent, for all that are violent are called Catheritica, or Corro∣sives, by vehement drying these consume the excres∣sences of flesh.

They are usually applied to ulcers that have dead flesh in them.

They are

• Simple.
• Compound.

Simple are,

Vert-de-greece, Coperas, or Vitriol, Allum, burnt and not burnt, burnt Salt, Antimony, Mercury Sub∣limate and Precipitate, Emphorbium.

Compound are,

Unguentum Egiptiacum, and that which the Devil and his Imps attribute to the Apostles, as though they performed their cures by Oyntments, and not by the Spirit of God: All Oyntments that have the Sim∣ples before mentioned in them.

The stronger the Greeks call Septica, or Putrifa∣ctive Medicines. By their vehement heat they ulce∣rate the skin and yet with little pain.

Such are,

Arsenick, Crowfoot, Spurge, Mustard-seed, Can∣tharides, Euphorbium.

Causticks are the strongest, and those the Greeks cal Escarotica. These have got a faculty to consume all they come neer.

Such are,

Quicklime, sublimated, Arsenick.

Strong be, Lapis infernalis.

I shall give you the use of them all in a very few words, as few as can be imagined.

The
First,	Eat away dead flesh.
Second,	is used to	Draw Blisters.
Third,	Make Issues.